Comparison of intensive light-emitting diode and intensive
compact fluorescent phototherapy in non-hemolytic jaundice
SUMMARY: Takcı Ş, Yiğit Ş, Bayram G, Korkmaz A, Yurdakök M. Comparison
of intensive light-emitting diode and intensive compact fluorescent phototherapy
in non-hemolytic jaundice. Turk J Pediatr 2013; 55: 29-34.
In severe and rapidly increasing jaundice, the use of intensive phototherapy
provides greater effectiveness and a faster decrement in bilirubin levels
compared to conventional phototherapy. The aim of this study was to compare
the effectiveness of two types of intensive phototherapy: intensive compact
fluorescent tube (CFT) and intensive light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy.
Forty-three infants over 35 weeks of gestation with severe non-hemolytic
hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled in the prospective study. All infants received
multidirectional (circular-shaped) intensive phototherapy. Of these, 20 infants
received CFT while 23 infants received LED phototherapy. Bilirubin levels
and body temperatures were measured periodically, and the rates of bilirubin
decrement were calculated. Mean serum bilirubin level of the 43 infants
was 20.5±1.5 mg/dl at the beginning of the therapy and mean duration of
phototherapy was 20.6±1.1 hours. The rate of mean bilirubin decline was
47.2% and the decrease was more prominent in the first four hours (0.84 ±
0.41 mg/dl/h). The rates of bilirubin decrement were comparable between the
LED and CFT groups. Slightly elevated mean body temperature (37.1ºC) was
determined in the CFT group (p<0.05). Intensive phototherapy units with
both LED and CFT were effective, showing a decline of half the initial value
of bilirubin during the study period in infants with non-hemolytic jaundice.
This study shows that intensive phototherapy with either CFT or LED can
provide rapid decrease in bilirubin levels in the first few hours. This rapid
decline is important in cases that have high risk of bilirubin encephalopathy.
Key words: indirect hyperbilirubinemia, high intensive phototherapy, light-emitting
diode, compact fluorescent tube.
